The Western Star. (PUBLISHED WEEKLY.) SATURDAY, JANUARY 6, 1877.

Western Star, Issue 174, 6 January 1877, Page 4

The Western Star. (PUBLISHED WEEKLY.) SATURDAY, JANUARY 6, 1877.

Tiw new. state of' affairs was duly i'nau*gurated; on Thursday,, the 4th of. January —a, day that is likely to be remembered and; commemorated in our future as the happy commencement of a state of independence,, in faet a. New Zealand Fourth. of : July.. But little business could be done besides the formal opening, and an appointment of. Chairman. Even in that the tone-of the Council was.anything- bu.£ a, unanimous one,, and it yet remains.to.be seen wh.etherthe objections raised to.MrHirstwiHprove.to.be merely factious,,or emanate from a wise-forecast, of what will be essentially needed: If zeal is wanted,, the. Chairman has. cer-. fcainly commenced early enough by plunging '-in medias res" with reference to the road he has to travel and' the state it is in, though, his precipitancy was amus-. ing,. as the whole of the Council had not taken their seats,, no. rate having been struck,, nor any ordinary preliminary business settled.. It is a. fault, on, the right side to have a little extra energy, and; one w,e are- not disposed to quarrel withy

"W v e now come- to a question of great general importance, and one upon which we venture to throw out a suggestion. The County Act,.like most Acts of Parliament, is encumbered with, a legal aud technical phraseology, and its working must also, be- taken in conjunction, with, certain other Acts,, whose clauses do not give their- meaning at a glance. If,. therefore,, the Wallace Couuty Council invited the- other Connties. tp join. in,, offering a. money prize for the best essay, disquisition, abstract, or popular exposi-. 'tion of' the whole, with the pith and tendencies of the parts,, and their- relative- ■ bearings upon the present road boards,. ; &c, tliQ-resu.lt would be of. great public benefit, and enable all who seek acquaintance with the existing, institutions to .become so without necessitating a : legal 'education or a term of' service as mem r bers of the Qounty Board. It is also, highly probable-- that such- a pamphlet would prov.e serviceable-as a-ready refer'ence to those in office,.and- at the present itime draw more-immediate attention to. .such alterations and amendments as in ■ the ordinary nature of' such matters will ;be found necessary.